The ski resorts immediately across the B.C. border can be summed up in four words: continuously skiable vertical drop. Revelstoke, Kicking Horse and Panorama rank in the top five North American resorts when it comes to this coveted stat. (One caveat: some analysts place them in the top 10, by measuring vertical drop a little differently. No matter how this stat is calculated, Revelstoke always ranks first).

The long runs at these resorts have always drawn skiers and riders who crave leg-burning lines. But in recent years, the resorts have focused on beefing up their family appeal, by building comfortable on-hill condos and adding more beginner terrain and other non-ski activities.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Opening Day: Dec. 8 (Preview Weekend on Dec. 1-2)

Claims To Fame: While plenty of resorts like to boast about their champagne powder, Kicking Horse is the only one legally trademarked as the Champagne Powder Capital. On-hill dining doesn’t get any better than Eagles Eye Restaurant, the highest elevated restaurant in Canada, which serves up good food and incredible views over the mountain.

What’s New: Resorts of the Canadian Rockies bought Kicking Horse last winter and added the resort to the RCR season pass and loyalty card. No changes on the hill this year in infrastructure beyond a few small plaza enhancements.

Insider Tips: This is an expert hill, known for being steep and deep. Intermediate skiers and riders, take note: what rates as a blue run at Kicking Horse would likely qualify as a black run anywhere else. Experts, if you’re looking for the best double-black terrain around, head up the custom metal stairway from the top of the Stairway to Heaven quad.

Claims to Fame: It’s a true ski-in/ski-out resort with plenty of accommodations on site, as well as the country’s largest slopeside hot pools. The mountain is known for its combination of excellent grooming and big mountain kicks. In addition to its regular groomed runs, “Pano” grooms a different signature run daily – making for an exceptional ski experience first thing in the morning. Thrill-seekers like the mountain’s former heli-ski terrain, which often gets snow-loaded by winds swirling off the surrounding peaks.

What’s New: For the second year in a row, the mountain underwent a significant makeover in the summer. This year, they gladed an additional 113 acres of terrain, adding more space for tree skiing and making tree skiing more accessible to intermediate skiers and riders. Nearly a quarter of Taynton Bowl was gladed, opening the C-Spine ridge run. The resort also added a Prinoth high-tech grooming machine to its snow-making fleet.

Runs: 120, plus one terrain park and skier/boarder cross course

Lifts: 9 (two express quad chairs, one quad, one triple chair, one double chair, one platter, two carpet lifts and one village gondola)

Insider Tips: Skiing with kids? Take the Secret Forest Trail that leads to the end prize of Fort Hide n’ Seek. For a caffeine fix, fuel up at Lusti’s Cappuccino Bar, known for its specialty coffees and Muskoka chairs.

Claims to Fame: It’s the only resort in the world that offers lift, cat-, heli- and backcountry skiing out of the same base. Six years after opening, Revy has earned a reputation as a playground for experts and deep-powder fiends. This year, it’s the only Canadian resort besides Whistler to make Freeskier Magazine’s Top 10 Overall Ski Resorts in North America.

What’s New: The big focus at Revy is on making the mountain accessible for skiers of all abilities. After building up the beginner area last year, they made more improvements for intermediate skiers and boarders this year at the mid-mountain level. To the relief of every skier and boarder who likes the terrain off the Ripper Chair, the resort added washroom facilities at this isolated chair on the front side. Finally, long-time local favourite in downtown Revelstoke, La Baguette, has expanded with a new location at the ski resort.

Insider Tips: After a heavy overnight snowfall, head up the Stoke Chair to Clyde’s Secret Glades or Iron Glaiden for deep, evenly spaced and perfectly pitched tree skiing while giving ski patrol the time to open the deep powder upper runs in the North Bowl. Follow with some afternoon runs in sunshine off the South Face and finish with a jug of the Rockford bar’s signature draft “Double Happiness.”

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